Counterfeit ✓

Chapter 36

THE PRIMAL-SCREAM THAT came out of Stephen's mouth was one Mila had never heard before. His face turned red. He jumped forward while Mila grabbed and held out the knife. Right now, she had no time to engage in a fight; she had to save Oliver before the fire kissed his body.

"Bitch! I should have trusted Amy!"

Mila moved the knife. "I'll never give up on Oliver."

Stephen smirked. "I burned him at the stake. Doubt if he'll make it."

Mila's throat thickened. Every second she spent with Stephen was one second too much to save Oliver. Mila now had to take action before they burned Oliver alive. She pushed the knife forward. Stephen took a step aside and pulled her arm back. Mila cried out. The knife tumbled to the ground and Stephen took hold of it in his hands.

A big grin appeared on his face. "Pride comes before the fall, Mila. Don't you remember?"

He knelt, pressed the knife to her throat, and looked into her eyes. The hate that streamed through his gaze was one Mila had never seen before. It looked like there was another bad version of Stephen. One she had brought to life and was now going to pay for it.

Mila narrowed her eyes. She could only hope for a quick death, even though she had doubts about whether Stephen would give it to her. Her head was throbbing. Stephen pushed the knife deeper. And then the pressure was off her throat all at once. With caution, Mila opened her eyes again. Stephen was lying on the ground. Oliver on top of him. Mila's mouth fell open in amazement.

"You can sleep later." Elody reached out. "We have to help Oliver."

Mila nodded. "Where's Thomas?"

Elody shook her head. "We don't have time. Amy fled. She's probably gathering the troops."

"Should we get out of here?"

"Yes. Look for the backpacks I put at the entrance. Right. Wait at the gate. Oliver and I are coming."

"I can- "

Elody pushed her in the back. "We don't have time for a discussion. Leave before our chances are lost." 

There was no point in discussing it any longer. Mila rushed to the entrance. She avoided the stares of the surprised people and ended up at the entrance. At the gate, she looked into the right bushes where Elody had hidden four backpacks. Mila dragged them out of the bushes and waited patiently for one of her friends to show up. At every sound, she startled and put herself in an offensive position. Her breathing quickened. Another noise. Mila turned around. Faced Amy.

"Amy."

"We shouldn't have trusted you. Why?"

"I'm supposed to ask you. You're the one who betrayed us. You were a friend."

"Oliver never took me seriously. You made sure he pushed me aside."

"Do you think Stephen takes you seriously, Amy? You're better than him."

"Your words don't convince me to leave you alive, darling. I'll kill you on the spot. Slow. One you deserve."

Shivers ran down Mila's body because of those words. She urged herself to calm down. There had to be a way to convince Amy to join them and not Stephen who slowly but surely stole the light from her. Everyone deserved a second chance. Amy too. Even Elody had shown she could escape Stephen's clutches and join the good ones. Breathing in and out, Mila stared at her former friend.

She smiled. "I know this world forces us to do what is necessary to survive. But you won't survive with Stephen. He means you're dead."

"Stephen doesn't matter! Once he's out of the way, I'll take over the camp."